Firearm with ammunition storage within a handgrip portion thereof

ABSTRACT

A kit for providing a handgrip on a firearm includes a handgrip body mountable on a handgrip body mounting structure of the firearm. The handgrip body includes an ammunition storage space therein. The ammunition storage space defines a storage space opening in a surface of the handgrip body through which a round of ammunition can be inserted into the ammunition storage space. A storage space cover has a primer recess within an ammunition support surface thereof and is attached to the handgrip body in a manner allowing the storage space cover to be moved between an open position in which access to the storage space opening is provided and a closed position in which the ammunition support surface extends over the storage space opening. A portion of the primer recess overlies a primer occupying region of the ammunition storage space when the storage space cover is in the closed position.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This non-provisional utility patent application claims priority to co-pending United States Provisional patent application having Ser. No. 61/274,578, filed Aug. 18, 2009, entitled “Handgun Grips With Internal Ammunition Storage Capability”, having a common applicant herewith and being incorporated herein in its entirety by reference.

FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE

The disclosures made herein relate generally to firearms and, more particularly, to structures for allowing spare ammunition to be stored on a firearm.

BACKGROUND

Many handguns that are commonly used for personal defense have a limited capacity or number of cartridges that are loaded into the firearm at any given time. Revolvers are an example of a handgun typically limited to 5 or 6 shots (i.e., 5 or 6 discrete rounds of ammunition each held within a respective chamber of a cylinder). Unlike automatic handguns, revolvers are slower to reload than handguns with an ammunition magazine. Accordingly, revolvers generally carry less ammunition and are slower to reload than most automatic handguns.

Spare rounds of ammunition are often not carried by a user of a revolver, which places the user of a revolver at a potential disadvantage over a user of a higher capacity automatic handgun. Reloading devices such as, for example, “Speed Loaders” and “Speed Strips” are designed to provide a more rapid reload for a revolver user. However, most users are not proficient enough to use such devices effectively and a drawback to such devices is that they force a user to completely empty their cylinder prior to inserting the ammunition housed in a “Speed Loader”. The requirement to completely empty a firearm during a gunfight is undesirable, particularly if perhaps only 2 shots of 5 have been fired. Another disadvantage of speed loaders is that they are often forgotten or not carried due to their weight and/or bulk.

Therefore, a firearm such as a revolver having a storage space configured for carrying a reserve supply of discrete rounds of ammunition separate from that in a magazine or cylinder thereof is advantageous, desirable and useful.

SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE

Embodiments of the present invention relate to a firearm having a handgrip with a storage space therein that is configured for carrying a reserve supply of discrete rounds of ammunition. In one particular embodiment, a revolver is an example of such a firearm. In this manner, embodiments of the present invention allow a user of a firearm to have ready access to discrete rounds of ammunition for their firearm.

In one embodiment of the present invention, a kit for providing a handgrip on a firearm. The kit includes a handgrip body and a storage space cover. The handgrip body is mountable on a handgrip body mounting structure of the firearm. The handgrip body includes an ammunition storage space therein. The ammunition storage space defines a storage space opening in a surface of the handgrip body through which a round of ammunition can be inserted into the ammunition storage space. The storage space cover has a primer recess within an ammunition support surface thereof. The storage space cover is moveably attached to the handgrip body in a manner allowing the storage space cover to be moved between an open position in which access to the storage space opening is provided and a closed position in which the ammunition support surface extends over the storage space opening. A portion of the primer recess overlies a primer occupying region of the ammunition storage space when the storage space cover is in the closed position.

In another embodiment of the present invention, a firearm includes a frame, a handgrip body, and storage space cover. The frame includes a handgrip body mounting structure. The handgrip body is attached to or integral with mounted on the handgrip body mounting structure. The handgrip body includes an ammunition storage space therein and wherein the ammunition storage space defines a storage space opening in a bottom end face of the handgrip body through which a round of ammunition can be inserted into the ammunition storage space. The storage space cover has a primer recess within an ammunition support surface thereof. The storage space cover is moveably attached to the handgrip body and/or the handgrip body mounting structure in a manner allowing the storage space cover to be moved between an open position in which access to the storage space opening is provided and a closed position in which the ammunition support surface extends over the storage space opening. A portion of the primer recess overlies a primer occupying region of the ammunition storage space when the storage space cover is in the closed position.

In another embodiment of the present invention, a handgrip assembly includes a handgrip body mounting structure of a firearm, a handgrip body, and a storage space cover. The handgrip body is mounted on the handgrip body mounting structure. The handgrip body includes an ammunition storage space therein. The ammunition storage space defines a storage space opening in a bottom end face of the handgrip body through which a round of ammunition can be inserted into the ammunition storage space. The storage space cover has a primer recess within an ammunition support surface thereof. The storage space cover is pivotably attached to the handgrip body and/or the handgrip body mounting structure in a manner allowing the storage space cover to be pivoted between an open position in which access to the storage space opening is provided and a closed position in which the ammunition support surface extends over the storage space opening. A portion of the primer recess overlies a primer occupying region of the ammunition storage space when the storage space cover is in the closed position.

These and other objects, embodiments, advantages and/or distinctions of the present invention will become readily apparent upon further review of the following specification, associated drawings and appended claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a side view showing a revolver having handgrip bodies configured in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a fragmentary lower rear perspective view of the revolver shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a fragmentary upper rear perspective view of the revolver shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line 4-4 in FIG. 3.

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line 5-5 in FIG. 3.

FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line 6-6 in FIG. 3.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING FIGURES

Referring to FIGS. 1-6, various aspects of a revolver 100 (i.e., a firearm) configured in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention is shown. Advantageously, the revolver 100 has handgrip bodies 102, 104 each configured for having one or more rounds of ammunition 106 stored therein. Thus, as shown, the handgrip bodies 102, 104 can be configured for having a reserve supply of discrete rounds of ammunition stored therein. In this manner, embodiments of the present invention allow a user of a firearm such as a revolver to have ready access to discrete rounds of ammunition for their firearm.

The revolver 100 includes a frame 108. The frame 108 serves as a chassis upon which other components of the revolver 100 are mounted. Besides the handgrip bodies 102, 104, other examples of such components include trigger group components, a barrel, and a cylinder. In one embodiment, the grips are configured for being attached to a revolver such as, for example, a Smith & Wesson J-Frame revolver. However, the present invention is not unnecessarily limited to use/implementation with any particular type of configuration of firearm.

The frame 108 includes a handgrip body mounting structure 109. A first one of the handgrip bodies (i.e., handgrip body 102) is mounted on a first side 110 of the handgrip body mounting structure 109. A second one of the handgrip bodies (i.e., handgrip body 104) is mounted on a second side 112 of the handgrip body mounting structure 109. Examples of means by which the handgrip bodies 102, 104 can be attached to the handgrip body mounting structure 109 include, but are not limited to, mechanical fastener(s), mechanical clips, and the like. In one embodiment, a structure such as a roll pin, dowel pin, or the like passes through the handgrip body mounting structure 109 and is disposed in a manner so as to be located between two cartridges on each one of the handgrip bodies 102, 104 thereby aligning and/or adding structural rigidity between the handgrip bodies 102, 104 and the handgrip body mounting structure 109. It also is disclosed herein that the handgrip bodies 102, 104 can be integral with the frame (e.g., a one piece molded frame/handgrip structure).

As best shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, each one of the handgrip bodies 102, 104 includes an ammunition storage space 114. The ammunition storage space 114 of each one of the handgrip bodies 102, 104 defines a storage space opening 116 in a bottom end face 118 thereof through which a round of ammunition 106 can be inserted into the ammunition storage space 114. Preferably, the ammunition storage space 114 of each one of the handgrip bodies 102, 104 includes an ammunition base receiving recess 120 at the bottom end face 118 thereof. Dimensions and/or shape of the ammunition storage space 114 allow a base 122 of the round of ammunition 106 to be disposed within the ammunition base receiving recess 120 such that an end face 124 of the base 122 can be substantially flush with the when the bottom end face 118 of a respective one of the handgrip bodies 102, 104. Preferably, but not necessarily, a depth of the ammunition base receiving recess 120 is approximately the same as a thickness of the base 122. Preferably, but not necessarily, the ammunition base receiving recess 120 and the storage space opening 116 are both substantially round in shape with respect to the bottom end face 118 and the ammunition base receiving recess 120 is approximately concentric with the storage space opening 116.

A storage space cover 126 is pivotably (i.e., moveably) attached to one or both of the handgrip bodies 102, 104 and/or to the handgrip body mounting structure 109. Referring to FIG. 6, the storage space cover 126 is pivotably attached to the handgrip bodies 102, 104 through a pin 128 that is engaged with handgrip bodies 102, 104 and that extends through a passage 130 in the storage space cover 126. Accordingly, the storage space cover 126 is moveably attached to the handgrip bodies 102, 104 in a manner allowing the storage space cover 126 to be moved between an open position O in which access to the storage space openings 116 of each one of the handgrip bodies 102, 104 is provided and a closed position in which an ammunition support surface 132 extends over the storage space openings 116. When the storage space cover 126 is in the closed position C, the ammunition support surface 132 of the storage space cover 126 abuts or is immediately adjacent to the bottom end face 118 of the handgrip bodies 102, 104 and engages the base 122 of any rounds of ammunition 106 within the ammunition storage space(s) 114 for securing the rounds of ammunition 106 therein.

As shown in FIG. 4, the ammunition support surface 132 of the storage space cover 126 has primer recesses 134 within the ammunition support surface 132 thereof. A portion of each primer recess 134 overlies a primer occupying region of a respective one of the ammunition storage spaces 114 when the storage space cover 126 is in the closed position C. Beneficially, each primer recess 134 provides a degree of safety that the primer of a round of ammunition 106 stored in one of the handgrip bodies 102, 104 will not inadvertently come into contact with the ammunition support surface 132 in a manner that causes accidental discharge of the round of ammunition 106. Preferably, but not necessarily, each primer recess 134 can have a diameter larger than a diameter of a primer as exposed at the base 122 of the round of ammunition 106. However, it is disclosed herein that the dimensions and/or shape of each primer recess 134 need only be sufficiently configured so as to significantly limit the likeliness that an area of the primer suitable for discharge of the primer can come into contact with the ammunition support surface 132 of the storage space cover 126. It is disclosed herein that, alternatively, the primer recesses 134 can be filled with a resilient/pliable material. It is disclosed herein that, alternatively, the primer recesses 134 can be omitted and the ammunition support surface 132 can be formed from a resilient/pliable material. Accordingly, such implementation are examples of means for limiting a primer of the round of ammunition 106 within the ammunition storage space 114 from being unintentionally discharged as a result of contact with the storage space cover 126.

Referring to FIGS. 1-3 and 6, a latch assembly 136 is slideably (i.e., movably) mounted on the storage space cover 126. The latch assembly 136 to be moved between a latched configuration L and an unlatched configuration U with respect to the storage space cover 126. A latch engaging structure 138 is connected to one or both of the handgrip bodies 102, 104 and/or, optionally, to the handgrip body mounting structure 109. As depicted, the latch engaging structure can be a pin that is engaged between the handgrip bodies 102, 104 with a longitudinal axis thereof extending substantially parallel to that of the pin 128 on which the storage space cover 126 is pivotably mounted. In one embodiment, the latch assembly 136 is biased into engagement with the latch engaging structure 138 (e.g., via a spring) when the latch assembly 136 is in the latched configuration L and the storage space cover 126 is in or moved to the closed position C. A latch control member 140 is selectively movable from an at rest position (shown) to a displaced position (not shown), thereby disengaging the latch assembly 136 (i.e., a pin engaging notch portion of a sliding latch member) from the latch engaging structure 138 for allowing the storage space cover 126 to be moved from the closed position C to the open position O.

In the preceding detailed description, reference has been made to the accompanying drawings that form a part hereof, and in which are shown by way of illustration specific embodiments in which the present invention may be practiced. These embodiments, and certain variants thereof, have been described in sufficient detail to enable those skilled in the art to practice embodiments of the present invention. It is to be understood that other suitable embodiments may be utilized and that logical, mechanical, chemical and electrical changes may be made without departing from the spirit or scope of such inventive disclosures. To avoid unnecessary detail, the description omits certain information known to those skilled in the art. The preceding detailed description is, therefore, not intended to be limited to the specific forms set forth herein, but on the contrary, it is intended to cover such alternatives, modifications, and equivalents, as can be reasonably included within the spirit and scope of the appended claims. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A kit for providing a handgrip on a firearm, comprising: a handgrip body mountable on a handgrip body mounting structure of the firearm, wherein the handgrip body includes an ammunition storage space therein and wherein said an ammunition storage space defines a storage space opening in a surface of the handgrip body through which a round of ammunition can be inserted into the ammunition storage space; and a storage space cover having a primer recess within an ammunition support surface thereof, wherein the storage space cover is moveably attached to the handgrip body in a manner allowing the storage space cover to be moved between an open position in which access to the storage space opening is provided and a closed position in which the ammunition support surface extends over the storage space opening and wherein a portion of the primer recess overlies a primer occupying region of the ammunition storage space when the storage space cover is in the closed position.
 2. The kit of claim 1, further comprising: a latch engaging structure connected to the handgrip body; and a latch assembly movably mounted on the storage space cover in a manner allowing the latch assembly to be moved between a latched configuration and an unlatched configuration with respect to the storage space cover.
 3. The kit of claim 2 wherein the latch assembly is biased into engagement with the latch engaging structure when the latch assembly is in the latched configuration and the storage space cover is in the closed position.
 4. The kit of claim 1 wherein: the ammunition storage space includes an ammunition base receiving recess at the surface of the handgrip body; and the ammunition support surface of the storage space cover abuts the surface of the handgrip body when the storage space cover is in the closed position.
 5. The kit of claim 1 wherein: the storage space opening is substantially round in shape with respect to the surface; the primer recess is substantially round in shape with respect to the ammunition support surface; and the storage space opening is approximately concentric with the primer recess when the storage space cover is in the closed position.
 6. The kit of claim 5 wherein: the ammunition storage space includes an ammunition base receiving recess at the surface of the handgrip body; the ammunition base receiving recess is substantially round in shape with respect to the surface; the ammunition base receiving recess is approximately concentric with the storage space opening; and the ammunition support surface of the storage space cover abuts the surface of the handgrip body when the storage space cover is in the closed position.
 7. The kit of claim 6, further comprising: a latch engaging structure connected to the handgrip body; and a latch assembly movably mounted on the storage space cover in a manner allowing the latch assembly to be moved between a latched configuration and an unlatched configuration with respect to the storage space cover, wherein the latch assembly is biased into engagement with the latch engaging structure when the latch assembly is in the latched configuration and the storage space cover is in the closed position.
 8. A firearm, comprising: a frame including a handgrip body mounting structure; a handgrip body is one of attached to and integral with the handgrip body mounting structure, wherein the handgrip body includes at least one ammunition storage space therein and wherein the ammunition storage space defines a storage space opening in a bottom end face of the handgrip body through which a round of ammunition can be inserted into the ammunition storage space; and a storage space cover having a primer recess within an ammunition support surface thereof, wherein the storage space cover is moveably attached to at least one of the handgrip body and the handgrip body mounting structure in a manner allowing the storage space cover to be moved between an open position in which access to the storage space opening is provided and a closed position in which the ammunition support surface extends over the storage space opening and wherein a portion of the primer recess overlies a primer occupying region of the ammunition storage space when the storage space cover is in the closed position.
 9. The firearm of claim 8, further comprising: a latch engaging structure connected to the handgrip body; and a latch assembly movably mounted on the storage space cover in a manner allowing the latch assembly to be moved between a latched configuration and an unlatched configuration with respect to the storage space cover.
 10. The firearm of claim 9 wherein the latch assembly is biased into engagement with the latch engaging structure when the latch assembly is in the latched configuration and the storage space cover is in the closed position.
 11. The firearm of claim 8 wherein: the ammunition storage space includes an ammunition base receiving recess at the bottom end face of the handgrip body; and the ammunition support surface of the storage space cover abuts the bottom end face of the handgrip body when the storage space cover is in the closed position.
 12. The firearm of claim 8 wherein: the storage space opening is substantially round in shape with respect to the bottom end face; the primer recess is substantially round in shape with respect to the ammunition support surface; and the storage space opening is approximately concentric with the primer recess when the storage space cover is in the closed position.
 13. The firearm of claim 12 wherein: the ammunition storage space includes an ammunition base receiving recess at the bottom end face of the handgrip body; the ammunition base receiving recess is substantially round in shape with respect to the bottom end face; the ammunition base receiving recess is approximately concentric with the storage space opening; and the ammunition support surface of the storage space cover abuts the bottom end face of the handgrip body when the storage space cover is in the closed position.
 14. The firearm of claim 13, further comprising: a latch engaging structure connected to the handgrip body; and a latch assembly movably mounted on the storage space cover in a manner allowing the latch assembly to be moved between a latched configuration and an unlatched configuration with respect to the storage space cover, wherein the latch assembly is biased into engagement with the latch engaging structure when the latch assembly is in the latched configuration and the storage space cover is in the closed position.
 15. A handgrip assembly, comprising: a handgrip body mounting structure of a firearm; a handgrip body is one of attached to and integral with the handgrip body mounting structure, wherein the handgrip body includes at least one ammunition storage space therein and wherein the ammunition storage space defines a storage space opening in a bottom end face of the handgrip body through which a round of ammunition can be inserted into the ammunition storage space; and a storage space cover having a primer recess within an ammunition support surface thereof, wherein the storage space cover is pivotably attached to at least one of the handgrip body and the handgrip body mounting structure in a manner allowing the storage space cover to be pivoted between an open position in which access to the storage space opening is provided and a closed position in which the ammunition support surface extends over the storage space opening and wherein a portion of the primer recess overlies a primer occupying region of the ammunition storage space when the storage space cover is in the closed position.
 16. The handgrip assembly of claim 15, further comprising: a latch engaging structure connected to the handgrip body; and a latch assembly movably mounted on the storage space cover in a manner allowing the latch assembly to be moved between a latched configuration and an unlatched configuration with respect to the storage space cover.
 17. The handgrip assembly of claim 16 wherein the latch assembly is biased into engagement with the latch engaging structure when the latch assembly is in the latched configuration and the storage space cover is in the closed position.
 18. The handgrip assembly of claim 15 wherein: the ammunition storage space includes an ammunition base receiving recess at the bottom end face of the handgrip body; and the ammunition support surface of the storage space cover abuts the bottom end face of the handgrip body when the storage space cover is in the closed position.
 19. The handgrip assembly of claim 15 wherein: the storage space opening is substantially round in shape with respect to the bottom end face; the primer recess is substantially round in shape with respect to the ammunition support surface; and the storage space opening is approximately concentric with the primer recess when the storage space cover is in the closed position.
 20. The handgrip assembly of claim 19 wherein: the ammunition storage space includes an ammunition base receiving recess at the bottom end face of the handgrip body; the ammunition base receiving recess is substantially round in shape with respect to the bottom end face; the ammunition base receiving recess is approximately concentric with the storage space opening; and the ammunition support surface of the storage space cover abuts the bottom end face of the handgrip body when the storage space cover is in the closed position.
 21. The handgrip assembly of claim 20, further comprising: a latch engaging structure connected to the handgrip body; and a latch assembly movably mounted on the storage space cover in a manner allowing the latch assembly to be moved between a latched configuration and an unlatched configuration with respect to the storage space cover, wherein the latch assembly is biased into engagement with the latch engaging structure when the latch assembly is in the latched configuration and the storage space cover is in the closed position.
 22. A kit for providing a handgrip on a firearm, comprising: a handgrip body mountable on a handgrip body mounting structure of the firearm, wherein the handgrip body includes an ammunition storage space therein and wherein said an ammunition storage space defines a storage space opening in a surface of the handgrip body through which a round of ammunition can be inserted into the ammunition storage space; and a storage space cover having a primer recess within an ammunition support surface thereof, wherein the storage space cover is moveably attached to the handgrip body in a manner allowing the storage space cover to be moved between an open position in which access to the storage space opening is provided and a closed position in which the ammunition support surface extends over the storage space opening and wherein the ammunition support surface includes means for limiting a primer of the round of ammunition within the ammunition storage space from being unintentionally discharged as a result of contact with the storage space cover.
 23. The kit of claim 22 wherein: the ammunition storage space includes an ammunition base receiving recess at the surface of the handgrip body; and the ammunition support surface of the storage space cover abuts the surface of the handgrip body when the storage space cover is in the closed position.
 24. The kit of claim 22 wherein: the storage space opening is substantially round in shape with respect to the surface; said means for limiting includes a primer recess within an ammunition support surface thereof; a portion of the primer recess overlies a primer occupying region of the ammunition storage space when the storage space cover is in the closed position; the primer recess is substantially round in shape with respect to the ammunition support surface; and the storage space opening is approximately concentric with the primer recess when the storage space cover is in the closed position.
 25. The kit of claim 24 wherein: the ammunition storage space includes an ammunition base receiving recess at the surface of the handgrip body; the ammunition base receiving recess is substantially round in shape with respect to the surface; the ammunition base receiving recess is approximately concentric with the storage space opening; and the ammunition support surface of the storage space cover abuts the surface of the handgrip body when the storage space cover is in the closed position. 